Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1887-01-27
fnnTY-NINTH CONGRESS-,
SENATE.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 26,

WASHINGTON, Jan. 26.
Among the bills reported and placed on
the calendar was one by Mr.. Miller fir m the
committee on agriculture, creating a depart
ment of government to be known as the de-
partment Of agriculture.
| Messrs, Hoar, Frye and Pugh were ap-
pointed committee of conference on an act
relating to contested elections.
Mr.. Hoar offered an amendment to the
rules, reading: 'As soon as quorum shall
appear prayer snail be offered by the chap
lain and the journal shall be read" He said
the object of the proposed change was to Sc
cure the presence of a quorum of the Senate
before prayer is offered by the chaplain. If
the Senate proposed to continue PRAYERS it
should be done decently and with decorum
The spectacle of divine service in the Senate
chamber with only enc, two or three senators
present ought not longer to be continued; re-
ferred to the committee on rules.
The Senate proceeded to the consideration
of the resolution reported yesterday by Mr..
Hoar nstructing the committee on privileges
and elections to Investigate the allegations
made bv three residents of Washington
county, Texas, as to their being driven from
their homes and being compelled to abandon
their property and deprived of the right of
suffrage in that county.
MIR. Coke opposed the resolution on the
ground that the matter was local with the
State of Texas and beyond the jurisdiction of
Congress.
Mr.. Edmunds advocated the resolution.
Mr.. Eustis opposed it as .'the waving of
the bloody shirt little in advance of the
usual season." 1t was simply proposition
to make political capital.
Mr.. Hawley advocated the resolution. The
question was one, he said, which the Senate
was at liberty to consider or set aside as it
chose. The power to make the proposed iu-
vestigstion was not only un1uestioned but
irresistible.
Mr.. Evarts sustained the resolution and
argued that there could be no better time
than the present for making the investiga-
ton.
Mr.. Call opposed the resolution as an at
American Institutions.
vote was then taken and the resolution
was adopted-31 to 26.
The Senate then at 30 resumed consider
alton of the bill to establish agricultural ex-
pertinent stations and in connection with az
ricultural colleges established under the act
of July 2, 1882.
After long discussion, and the offering of
and voting on a large number of amendments
Mr. Hawlev offered a substitute for the bill
and on his motion the bill aDd substitute were
ordered printed and the matter went over till
tomorrow.
The railroad attorney bill was then taken
up and Mr. Berry obtained the floor to dis
cuss it, but the Senate immediately at 4.35,
on motion of Mr.. Edmunds, went into secret
session.
At 555, the doors were reopenej and the
Senate adjourned
In the secret session of the Senate today
the nomination of J C. Matthews, the colored
recorder of deeds of this district, was dis
cussed for an hour and rejected. The vote
is understood to have been II to 81. OF the
minority three are republicans and a pro-
portional number of the majority are said to
be democrats.
HOUSE.
The speaker laid before the House letter
from the secretary of the treasury, submit
ting estimates of the secretary of the interior
for the appropriation necessary to meet the
expenditures required by the pension bill.
Ri ferred.
(The secretary of the interior estimates
that 81, $50 I04 will be required for the first
yearly payment of pensions and asks for an
appropriation of S257 900 to increase his
clerical force.
The Senate fisheries bill was then re ferred
to the committee on foreign affairs, and leave
granted to that committee to report at any
time.
MIR. Bragg of Wisconsin submitted the con
ference report upon the army appropriation
bill and it was agreed to. ... .,.t
The House then went into committee o
the whole on the river and harbor appropria
ton bill.
lowing amendment substitute for the
entire bill That the sum of 81 100000 is
hereby appropriated which may be expended
! by the board of engineers, and four engineers
now senior in the service, either for repair,
preservation, construction or completion of
such public improvements o: rivers and har-
bors as shall in their judgment afford practi-
cal and important facilities by water OF inter
| State commerce.
| A long and somewhat heated debate fol
| lowed and then the substitute was agreed to
yeas 40, nays 81.
| The committee then rose and reported to
the House, whereupon the substitute re-
jected-l7S to 46.
| The original bill was then ordered en-
crossed and read the third time-yeas l43,
nays 81, and the previous question ordered
on the final passage of the bill
| Mr. Hepburn demanded the reading of the
engrossed copy, and as the bill had not been
engrossed the House at 5 IS adjourned.
| The bill will come for final action tomor-
row.